Category: Columns

I use the word “sledding” very loosely. We didn’t have sleds. Our corrugated boxes slid a lot faster since they had no brakes, but you had to keep an eye out for obstacles down below since there was no steering mechanism either. This meant that you had to roll out of your sled at just the right time. Late on a still, full-moon night with the refrozen snowpack glistening like diamonds, we could sled for hours. When our “sleds” fell apart, we would use the pieces.

In 1960, I think it was, it snowed every Friday for three weeks and we were out of school for a long time. We were all getting rather bored and even Mom was ready for a change. Our neighborhood was made up of all cousins, eleven of us, with acreage in between. Some of these cousins were from Mom’s family, and some from Dad’s family. Then there was Grandpa’s and Grandma’s spread with a four or five acre wide-open pasture. Since the cows were long gone by this time, the vacant pasture was perfect for our version of sledding.

We begged Mom to go sledding with us. Normally that was something that would not happen on a work day, or most days for that matter, since Mom had no time to play. But this day was special. Mom worked at home as a looper (see page 14) which enabled her to catch up late at night any work she missed. Most of the time, her work catch-up happened because of running errands to Newton Implement for parts to fix up vehicles and machinery of Dad’s that broke down. But this winter, Dad was driving truck long-distance and he was away.

So, Mom threw caution to the wind. She, with her brood, and the sisters-in-law with theirs gathered in Grandpa’s pasture with our virgin corrugated boxes. After a while, someone remembered we had an old car hood. What genius! You should try it. When we hit the terraces, that thing would give us a powerful lift. We still had to remember to somehow roll off each time before the car hood landed in the barbed wire. Several of us older kids would then pull our heavy “sled” back up the hill so another four or five could have a turn.

We had the most wonderful fun that we still remember today: with boxes and a car hood, in slippers, with no gloves, neither bonfire nor hot chocolate, and barreling towards towering pines and barbed wire, and our moms did NOT get arrested! Those were the days!

Thom: First of all, I would like to congratulate Carmen on winning the Edison Project for 2017. I, Thom Shell, was a part of the Future Economy Council group, created by Danny Hearn of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce that spoke to the “Vision” of such a contest for start-ups and innovators in our community. We all must thank Garrett Hinshaw – President of Catawba Valley Community College, Bill Parrish – formerly of the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Sid Connor – formerly Director of the NC Center for Engineering Technologies, and Jeff Neuville and Tom Shea local Business Developing Entrepreneurs (and others) who all came together to establish, implement, and mentor this program.

These and other endeavors can help our area move forward. We should all take an interest in such initiatives and support them in whatever way we can. You may not realize that, just by reading this magazine, you are helping support several local entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative people in our community. I hope that you will spread the word about this interesting magazine. We need to support the true assets of our community.

The subject matter of this Fox and Hound opinion article is about “Vision” for our region. It is an open ended discussion and here are some ideas about our future.

“Vision” for our community? … Something that I have elaborated on before on my site “The Hickory Hound.” What are our objectives? Where do we want to be in 5, 10, to 25 years as far as Economic, Cultural, and Social Development?

One – I truly believe the backbone of progress is based upon the necessity to engage and encourage the broadest possible dialogue with the largest number of people possible. Society is strongest when there is an active, informed citizenry. A small pool of participants tends to limit initiative and stagnate ideas, ultimately leading to a small closed circuit group acting in their own self interests with the public interest taking a backseat.

Two – Economic growth correlates to quality of life. Over the past several years, I have taken a trip down to the Eastern half of the State to visit family that live east of Fayetteville. This journey involves the most heavily traveled driving routes in this State and I have observed what is the reality of economic division in what is the ‘Tale of Two States’ in North Carolina.

The northern route I-40/I-85 corridor has been developed rapidly over the past 25 years. From Winston-Salem to Raleigh, it is hard to tell where one city ends and the next begins. Raleigh is the fastest growing metropolitan area in our State. The I-95 corridor from Raleigh to Fayetteville is growing by leaps and bounds. The southern route involves Charlotte, which has always done its own thing pretty well. Most of the other areas in North Carolina, including the Northwest Foothills, have been left behind by the narrow focus of the decision makers in the State and Federal governments.

Three – No investment equals no growth. Look at your personal life. You have to make investments to have personal growth. You have to buy food to live. You have to have shelter. You have to have health and hygiene. Of course, there are two types of investments – good and bad.

One thing is for sure, Charlotte’s population has nearly doubled over the past 25 years. Charlotte, with over 800,000 people, is now larger than Atlanta. Charlotte has been good at taking care of Charlotte and our area is going to have to get good at taking care of our interests. Generally speaking we have nine counties that have the same interests – Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga, and Wilkes. We are a much more rural area than the City of Charlotte, but together this area has a population of over 500,000.

The bottom line is that our area deserves more attention. We have a great University in Appalachian State and we have access to several technical schools. What is important is that our area must become more interconnected.

What I envision is a Regional Economic Development Corporation that incorporates all of these Northwestern North Carolina counties. This entity would coordinate the overall economic interests of our entire area. The counties would no longer be competing amongst themselves for viable projects. They would begin working together to compete against larger markets, such as Charlotte and Raleigh. I would also like to see a consolidation of the various Chambers of Commerce in the region. In my opinion, we don’t need a separate Chamber of Commerce in every county. It just isn’t viable. Each county would have representatives and headquarters within these entities to ensure they are properly represented, but they would coordinate towards the big picture.

Of course there is more, but I believe these are good initial steps towards building a solid, constructive foundation for our future.

Gabriel:

Economic

Though not technically in Northwestern North Carolina, Catawba County is a waystation between that region and the Piedmont’s economic activity. Our economy is invariably linked to those regions we connect as neighbors and we should see our futures as intertwined. With investment in the area by 21st century industries and infrastructure, and local governments advocating for citizen interests without reserve, the diversity of our young population will stay and expand the economic capacity.

There are ways we can capitalize on our neighboring county’s successes, we just need potential companies and our citizenry to find common ground here to build on. Economic opportunity must reach everyone, and the whole of our diverse population should be respected and supported in efforts of growth as well. Our public transportation systems are basic and limiting, which is a hindrance to both our citizenry and attracting more progressive industry. Among our goals should be public transportation options to allow mobility of our masses to meet the needs that are only a few miles away, and options for efficient travel to and from the Charlotte area.

With the completion of the 485 loop and the recent improvements to highway 16 the trip from Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport to the heart of Catawba County is quicker than ever, which makes us a prime target for corporate investment. A line along the highway 16 route to connect to Charlotte’s Lynx Light Rail would open doors for commuters to live cheaper here and invest city salaries in our communities. We have inexpensive land that is connected to the Northwest region and the national roadways with I-40, we have inexpensive energy that includes some from renewables, we have a young and diverse population, we have varied recreation opportunities, and we have moderate weather. All we need are a few more options for industrial growth and an efficient means for our workforce to move around.

Because we are a forward-looking area…potential companies, our communities, and our educational centers, are working on some of it already.

Education

The Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir, area was recently rated as the 8th least educated in the nation. One reason we don’t attract such investment in modern economic activity is a need for skilled workers in varied fields. We have one of the most advanced centers for medical education in the simulated hospital at Catawba Valley Community College, which now sees 25% of its enrollment come from county high school students. The college’s recent investments in the expansion of their manufacturing and furniture programs can help us rebuild some of the ground lost to outsourcing. The center for modern manufacturing techniques will tune up those jobs in the region and the Furniture Academy will help solidify the presence of one of our oldest industries.

The Northwestern region also boasts great centers for higher learning, but their resort and tourist economies don’t support the graduates for the most part. Charlotte and other cities traditionally get the new blood, but we can change that by getting more of the most sought-after industries to settle outside of city expenses. CVCC has had a Cyber Security program, its return should be lobbied for. In recent years, Cyber Security’s open positions are going unfilled nationally and there are 80-100k jobs begging for qualified candidates in Baltimore and some other cities. Let’s have Western NC become a home from Cyber Security Education and service, along with its national security investments, and bring a couple thousand professional positions in the 40-80k range to air conditioned rooms across the NW and Foothills.

If we build it, they will come…both the companies looking for less expensive overhead and the graduates of CVCC, App. State, and UNCA.

Social

Though we expanded diversity and mixed the political ideologies a bit in recent elections, we saw less than 20% turnout. We will need to improve that if we really want everyone bought into a vision. How about demographic targeting with real incentives, like an expansion of our power systems to include solar on all store and warehouse roofs? If we want to get attention and make it easier for younger folks to invest in property and add to the community, bill North Western NC as the lowest cost energy in the state. Not to mention…keep things going the next time a tornado waltzes by.

We have young African American communities, we have young Latino communities, we have young Asian communities, we have a strong LGBTQ community, and plenty of Conservatives and Liberals who sit together and talk like people of good will do. Hickory hosts a Free Thinkers Convention welcoming Atheists from all over the world each year, surrounded by many churches of many faiths, so we have a great melting pot of ideas and cultures. I think we have the civic will and social tolerance to make these things happen.

That is a great strength of Catawba County, North Western North Carolina, and the state as a whole. Let’s be sure, that our little corner, no one gets left behind.

Thom:

Gabriel, since I pretty much agreed with what you addressed in your open summary on “Vision”, please tell us what you think the younger generations are going to need to make our region a viable option for living and desirable quality of life issues? Please, as a Millennial, define our area’s present reality from

your perspective/point of view…

Gabriel:

Yes, congratulations to Carmen for the recognition of her work and skill, to Foothills Digest for the acclaim. Thanks also to James for his insightful reporting and work for the area and our neighbors. To your question: Access is key to growth, and according to research from 2014 less than 25% of 16-year-old’s in the US had their licenses. That’s a 46% drop from 30 years earlier, and those in their 20’s were nearly 20% less likely to drive. Whether this is fuel cost issues, auto cost issues, licensure requirements, or whatever, the point is clear…younger people need transportation options. As may have been noted in your writings on Hickory Hound, the mass transit systems within the county are quite constricting.

After losing a business in Charlotte during the recession, my daughter and I spent a few years in public housing in Hickory. So, we relied on public transportation for a while, and had I not had friends with cars and the skills to get hired in specialty services we could still be there. The bus system really doesn’t cover much of our area’s housing, and though the lines cover main thoroughfares, lower income folks and young people lack access to much of the economic activity. Not to mention the hours of operation. Also, and sadly, during early voting days each year the voting place for the citizens of Maiden is the Newton Main Library. For those with no transportation, and no bus that connect the downtowns, many of those citizens can’t make it.

There are grants available for transportation expansion from both the federal government and the state, with millions available to an innovative approach, so let’s put folks to work getting other folks to work. How about contracts with transportation companies to subsidize fares for cabs, which can charge 10 bucks to go 5 miles in some cases, or perhaps the expansion and regulated use of services like Uber? This expands fleets and drivers, gets young people to work and school, and makes a statement about access and its impact when we see the resulting economic activity? This model is intended for Catawba County, and other counties in the NW NC region must work with their demographics and needs, but I think it could be an option for some.

In many ways, the young people of the area have been let down. Reeducation and training after the loss of industry wasn’t incentivized locally and access wasn’t prioritized, though it is now being worked on for certain citizens, many aren’t feeling it. As you have mentioned in regards to CVCC, and thanks for your efforts there too, investments have been made in the future. I would advocate a more open trade education, though. I am the Business Manager of a Plumbing Company, and I would love a few plumbing courses, or a certificate program in ours and other trades. But, that’s what we are here for, to observe and inform and advocate reasonable goals…would you advocate for that as well?

There are a lot of young people here who feel separated, and little ownership in our communities. I recently spoke to government classes at CVCC and noticed in one of them that most of the class was in the largest seat section to the left of me, while the five African American students sat to themselves on the right of me. Though I am a few years senior to a Millennial, these folks were right there in the age range and demographic to feel the impact of the decimation of the strong middle-class model in favor of “Voodoo Economics” and dog whistle politics. Other groups, like our Latino citizens, our LGBTQ community, and even some secular students in very religious parts of our area, are feeling a bit more directly targeted of late. This won’t engender a desire to stay, though many of us are trying to encourage the will to work towards change the old-fashioned way. With the patience, character, and the work ethic, of Western North Carolina.

How should we go about connecting the economic centers of Northwestern NC and Catawba County with Charlotte in order to bring companies to a future suburban area? Public transportation investment, or attracting private enterprise…preferably both? How about a Hyper-loop…It’s possible, if far fetched?

How should we most effectively engage our population and activate its diverse base? Public events management, educational outreach, outside recruiting…?

Thom:

Gabriel,I cannot disagree with anything you have proposed. 100%, I agree that we must interconnect ourselves with neighboring communities and the region at-large. Whether we like it or not, we are a part of Charlotte. As a person with direct connections to Charlotte, I appreciate the growth Charlotte has experienced over this generation. Charlotte has grown from a regional to a national and is becoming an international city right before our eyes.

With regards to your question/statement regarding direct transportation connectivity to Charlotte, I could not have said it better myself. On the Hickory Hound, I spoke of this direct light rail link into Charlotte – Light Rail to Charlotte: One Investment Worth Making – January 25, 2009.

That article also involved the connection of Amtrak high speed rail between Charlotte and Atlanta. The region we live in is a Megalopolis that stretches from Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee in the West to Raleigh in the East. As a whole, the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion has a population of over 25 million people. It includes Interstates 40 and 85 and encompasses several major cities interconnected through a major backbone of transportation connectivity. We must engage our region.

I have also wanted to see passenger rail service reinstituted from Asheville to Salisbury with a stop in our area. Gabriel, we are not alone in wanting to see this happen. Locally, our State Representative Jay Adams promoted the idea of renovating the Caldwell County rail line. This would have gone a long way towards redeveloping the sub-corridor that runs from Hickory to Lenoir. If not renovated through rail, the line could be paved and a tram could be run along that path. It could also become associated as an artery for open greenspace pedestrian and bicycle travel.

As far as encouraging industry and people to become a part of our area, we must look at what we are presently and honestly accept the reality – no buzzwords, no catchphrases, no propaganda. I believe we have failed our young people in this community. Area leadership must be willing to open their minds to possibilities, accept people for who they are, be willing to engage and work well with others, and then decide where we want to be in 5, 10, 25 years… Then develop a plan accordingly with detailed steps, transparent processes, benchmarks, and accountability measures to move us towards our objectives.

I want to talk about anxiety.That already makes us anxious, doesn’t?Anytime a suitcase or overnight bag is pulled out, our yellow lab, Fin, gets anxious.Everyone anxious from time to time.No one is immune to it.In fact general anxiety is normal; it is your body’s way of protecting you and keeping you safe.

We read Jesus’s words in the gospel, “Therefore I say to you, don’t worry about your life…” [Matt.6:25]

But let’s be real here.It is hard not to worry.We are bombarded by media that tell us when our ‘fear meters’ should be spiked—which apparently is all the time. Did you know we are more worried, more nervous and uneasy, more depressed and anxious than previous generations?

So, what’s going on?

[There are many factors] but, one reason, brought up on multiple occasions by psychologists, is the luxury (as ungrateful as it sounds) of too much choice. With so many options available, there is no excuse for making the less-than-perfect choice.

Trendy grocery store chain, Trader Joes, discovered (through market research) that people feel conflicted about what to purchase when, for example, there are over twenty different brands of peanut butter from which to choose. Trader Joe’s reduced this number to three or four, limiting customer anxiety in the process.

Only in a nation of abundance would multiple choices of peanut butter help to fuel our already anxious tendencies.

Anxiety has become the poisonous side effect of good people wobbling on the edges of idolatry, where we trust worry, fear, and stuff more than God. Anxiety has become an epidemic of the illness of too much navel gazing.

In, The Paradox of Generosity, two sociologists explore the paradox that while giving is known to improve your life, so very few Americans actually give.While most religious believers would say, it is an article of faith that it is more blessed to give than to receive; [the research in this book says] it turns out that it IS an article of fact as well.”

“By always protecting ourselves against future uncertainties and misfortunes, we are affected in ways that make us more anxious about uncertainties and vulnerable to future misfortunes.”

How are we to cope with the growing cultural, let’s call a Grinch mentality where we seek our own security and happiness by turning away from neighbors to hunker down and hoard only for ourselves?What can well-meaning, faithful Christians do?

We lead the way.Because the way to overcome, and to combat some of this anxiety… the secret for curing and dealing with the chronic anxiety caused by things like fear and scarcity; anxiety caused by choice and narcissism —the secret to defeating that anxiety is generosity.

The Paradox of Generosity reports that “In giving of ourselves for others’ well-being, we enhance our own well-being as well. In letting go of some of what we own, we actually increase our own security and sense of comfort.By giving away our own resources, we move ourselves toward flourishing. This is not only a philosophical or religious teaching.It is a sociological fact.”

What we know is that our giving matters.Our giving makes our lives better, because it makes the lives of those around us better.

Science has proven what our faith has always known.

The more we give, the more free space opens up in us and that gives God more room to live in us. And who doesn’t want that?

About the author: Heather Wood Davis is pastor in Western N.C. with the PC (USA).

In our initial Fox and Hound opinion article, Cliff Moone and Thom Shell give their viewpoints on Economic Development in our region. The focus of the article is upon Economic Regeneration and how it is necessary for us to creatively reinvent who we are as we move forward through the 21st Century. Hickory, the largest city in the Northwest Foothills, is in many ways the Economic Hub and gateway of the region. The various communities of our region face the same issues. The loss of so much of our manufacturing base, changes in how we are now defined socio-economically and culturally, and how do we evolve to remain relevant in an ever changing landscape. Hickory provides the backdrop for the debate about how best to move forward…

James Thomas Shell, The Hickory Hound:

Since 2000, our region, here in Northwestern North Carolina has faced a great many economic challenges. We haven’t grown very much in population and the economy has never fully recovered from the hits it took following the implementation of several International Trade agreements at the start of the new century and the great financial crisis of 2008.
Our region is experiencing many of the pains that similar U.S. Industrial/Manufacturing cities have gone through in the present generation. “Legacy Cities,” as these communities are defined, relied on industrial production to provide their economic base. Unfortunately, they have seen their manufacturing capacity diminish greatly. As a result of the economic flux, these communities have seen reduced real estate property demand lead to diminished property values and in some cases abandonment. This has presented many challenges to municipal governments (and their resources), constraining their ability to deal with burgeoning economic and social predicaments.

But what should be understood is our region, and its various communities, has many assets that can be catalysts for regeneration; including vital downtown areas, stable and historic neighborhoods, transportation networks, educational assets, medical centers, and rich artistic and cultural resources. In regenerating our area, we must capitalize on these assets and relate their value, while renovating our local economic engine.

What’s First? We have to have a real plan!

In our regional corridor (Megalopolis), a true success story is Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina. Upstate South Carolina has seen many successes over the past 25 years related to its recruitment of BMW to build an automotive plant in the area. This has led to the formation of an “Economic Cluster” of automotive related businesses. This did not occur through happenstance. Upstate South Carolina interests began exploring BMW recruitment possibilities years before it happened.

Upstate South Carolina leaders did not bemoan the lack of trained/experienced workforce and by all accounts BMW did not care either. When the plant opened in 1994, 60,000 people had applied for 1,000 jobs. Since then, BMW has invested about $10 billion and created 9,000 direct jobs — not counting the indirect jobs related to automotive manufacturing. BMW has also invested in the local technical college system to enhance the concept of pre-employment training of potential workforce. The “halo effect” and positive publicity related to the BMW experience is something money could not buy.

In Hickory, $40 million in Bond Referendums were approved in 2014. The City Officials’ plan was pitched to businesses well before it was proposed to citizens. This plan had basically no input from Hickory’s citizenry. The subsequent years have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum election process and lacked the accomplishment of any meaningful transformative objectives.
We need input from the community’s people to develop a forward “Vision” and a strategy to implement it. The Vision’s goals need to be purposeful; not a rearranging of the status quo. An audit, assessing market realities, should be performed to develop a foundation for a rooted economic/financial plan that helps implement the Vision. The plan should take into account the area’s present residents and potential attracted newcomers. The plan should be creative, fundamentally sound, and have specific details about the elements that will lead to the expected outcome.

Plan objectives should be deliberated openly and honestly from all perspectives. Setting up transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure the plan is followed and builds trust. This leads to community buy-in and the support necessary to face difficult tasks head on.

Like Greenville, plans and targeted investment are important; but much of what we need, money cannot buy. Our most important asset is our people.

James Thomas Shell
The Hickory Hound

Cliff Moone:

When you attend as many civic events as I do, you frequently hear presentations on economic development in the Hickory Metro Area. Eventually, youget the impression that the operating premise for economic development is “throw as many ideas as you can up against the wall and see what sticks.” I intentionally overstate, admitting I write not as an economist or economic development expert, but as an attentive citizen and dedicated promoter of the region for which Hickory is the hub. Still, from my perspective, the “throw it all against the wall and see what sticks or works” approach may be better than it sounds.

Clearly, any notion economic development in all its facets is an exact science seems obviously flawed. Otherwise, most businesses wouldn’t fail within their first ten years; otherwise, we could predict precisely under what exact conditionsrecessions and expansions will occur; otherwise, successful economic development could be accomplished by formula. This is not to say that economic planners, economists, or even political leaders don’t have any knowledge or experience that applied appropriately won’t help spur successful economic growth.

Today, there’s an abundance of data regarding the conditions under which economic growth is most likely to occur. For example, we know tax policy can have a definite impact, so too, the regulations government places on businesses, whether to limit fraud or for consumer protection, so too, whether appropriate infrastructure is put in place.Additionally, incentives offered by state or local governments can influence economic development. But you don’t have to be an expert to know that no one of these or other “condition setters” is automatically determinative as an input to get the desired output of economic growth. Even something as nebulous as a positive, hopeful outlook versus a negative, “it can’t be done” outlook can make a difference.

Which brings me to the main point this non-expert, sixty-eight year old observer would like to suggest to the critics of the bond projects, the efforts of the area EDC, the Chamber of Commerce’s work in economic development, or the Hickory City Manager’s recently proposed vision to move our city and metro area forward from “recovery” to “prosperity”: When nobody has a “magic bullet,” a shotgun is a really good weapon of choice. When you need a multi-faceted, non-singular solution, no one aspect of any “plan” will bring you to the promised land. It takes a lot of ideas and a lot of folks trying many things to achieve success.

In the midst of the Great Depression, after over three years of waiting for recovery to just happen, a new President, FDR,initiated what he termed the “New Deal.” The operating principle of that New Deal was every idea is welcome and we’lltry anything and almost everything. We’ll keep what works and we’ll discard what doesn’t. It mostly worked, not everything, but despite what revisionist historians will assert, the New Deal approach lifted a country frozen in fear, defeat and despondency back on its feet and on a path to economic recovery.

Most critics of the recent economic development proposals for the Hickory Metro Area I’ve encountered have argued something like “a City Walk or a River Walk won’t bring permanent, sustainable jobs.” Others have critiqued the 1764 Project as being too removed from Hickory or have critiqued some other specific piece of the plans being proposed. Others have suggested that the planning process itself has been out of order, diminishing the potential effectiveness for attracting new businesses.

These critiques have some merit. I suggest none I’ve heard are so crucially serious as to derail the potential success of what development professionals, business leaders, our political leaders, and the voters have envisioned and initiated. Admittedly, I’m an optimist, but notwithstanding that every plan, every vision has flaws, I remain excited and on board with our multi-faceted, “build it and they will come,” now is the time, better try something, and let’s see what sticks adventure toward a better economic future.

Thom’s Questions to Cliff:

Cliff, I agree that Economics is an inexact science. Your proposal, the shot gun approach, is valid if the ideas process comes through a group of diverse individuals from different social and cultural backgrounds, but coming from an individual (or small, closed circuit group), it reminds me of what we call in the restaurant business, “Winging It,” which is what we do when we aren’t prepared and we improvise to get through a moment.

I would like to ask: 1) Even if we do follow the shotgun approach, shouldn’t we set benchmarks and metrics to define a program’s success or failure?

2) Given that the people of the community are putting their full faith and trust in Community Leadership in this endeavor, isn’t part of the leadership role to define the “Vision” and its objectives? As a member of Hickory’s Bond Commission, here is your opportunity to tell us specifically what we are doing in all of this to bring about more jobs and increased prosperity in our area?

Cliff’s Answers:

1. I think that the “benchmarks” are fairly obvious. No matter what ideas for economic development are tried, as City Manager Warren Wood has indicated, results will be measured by “Job Growth, Population Growth, and Tax base Growth.” I think these are reasonable metrics to look at when assessing economic development success.

2. In answering this question, let me comment on a couple of things Thom says in his statement above. First, I am not “proposing” a “shotgun” approach. I am commenting on the reality that when planners and citizens and government leaders do not have a “magic bullet” to ensure economic growth, they will inevitably and rightly suggest a multi-faceted, multi-level approach to what is a complex and multi-layered problem. If one is simply going to be a “critic,” by zeroing in on one or two specific aspects of an approach as if those were the only actions being taken, then of course, it is easy to say it won’t work. For example, I agree that the amenities infrastructure of the Bond Projects, whether we are talking Gateways, River Walk or even the City Walk will not, in and of themselves “create” sustainable job growth. What they will do is project a new and more vibrant image for the city and establish new conditions making Hickory more attractive as a place people want to live and work. Indeed, as just one aspect of an economic development plan, “place making,” as Mr. Wood describes the Bond Projects, is very important, but clearly not all encompassing in bringing a new era of prosperity to our area.

As to Thom’s implication that the economic development process is being carried out through a small “closed circuit” circuit group is not completely accurate. I find that the Bond Commission, for example, is made up of individuals of many varied professional backgrounds, is diverse in the ages of the people involved, and is inclusive as to race and gender participation. Also, it should be noted that members of the Commission participate on staggered terms, so every year, new members are brought on board expanding citizen participation. Personally, I would advocate for more minority community inputfrom the African American, Asian, and Latino communities. I strongly believe that if more persons from these communities will apply to serve, the City Council would gladly appoint them.

I would mention as well that all of the meetings of the Bond Commission and its subcommittees are publicly noticed and open for anyone to attend. I attended almost every meeting of the Commission for a year before my appointment, and except for not being able to “vote” on specific proposals during that time, I was allowed and encouraged to join in on all the discussions as much as any appointed member. Finally, it should be noted that beyond the Bond Commission, the local Chamber of Commerce has also been very active in pursuing a vision for the future economic growth and development in our region. Various committees and working groups, most recently including the K-64 Education Project, are actively engaged in the process of envisioning and planning to address the challenges our area faces. To my mind at least this is not “winging it.” It is instead a rational, multi-faceted approach to the multi-dimensional problems involved with economic development and bettering our community, which I expect to see yield positive, long term results.

Cliff’s Questions to Thom:

Thom, I generally agree with your description of what happened here since 2000. That’s pretty well established history. I also concur with you about our assets and much of what you have to say about a “vision” and “plan.”

Where we diverge in our views is when you start asserting that we have had “no input from citizens” on the Bond projects. First we had and continue to have some public hearings and discussions at City Council before putting the Bond Referendum to a vote. Then the citizens voted. Since then, the Bond Implementation Commission has met at least quarterly (and subcommittees even more often) all of which were open to the public. The Commission itself (and its individual members) is a conduit of and for citizen input on an ongoing basis. Members of the Commission also serve limited terms so new members are often being added.

So, my question is what is your evidence that citizen input has been or is lacking in this aspect of our economic development plan?

Second, your comment about the projects now in process “have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum…” reflects a concern I, as a Commission member have voiced on several occasions. Despite some small efforts to keep the public informed about the progress of the projects, not enough has been or is being done in this area in my view. However, those who are well acquainted with where things are in the implementation process are aware that we are right where we are supposed to be as we move toward our first “groundbreaking” in 2018.

What would you propose as ways to better keep the public attuned to the progress being made and to keep people “energized”?

I also agree that our “most important asset is our people.” One aspect of economic development neither of us really addressed in our articles is the education of our citizenry for 21st century jobs. According to the data from the Chamber of Commerce here, there are more than 3000 unfilled positions in our MSA, due primarily to the lack of appropriately trained workers.

What specifically do you suggest ought to be done educationally to enhance the preparation of our citizens for the present and future?​

Thom’s Answers for Cliff:

With respect to citizen input, my evidence comes from Hickory City Leadership three years ago, when they said, “they only wanted ‘positive people’ serving on the ‘Bond Commission’.” To me, the subsequent lack of energy after the voting process is because the vast majority of the people in the community don’t feel like they are a part of these projects. The evidence speaks for itself.

The critical thinking process nets the best results. We put the cart before the horse. It seems, city officials decided what they were going to do and created a process to implement it, instead of creating a process to decide what we needed to do to move our economy into modern realities.

Unfortunately, trust is not the default setting in our community, because of how we have been governed in the past. Where is the transparency website that we were promised (and the public paid for) right after this referendum was passed. Mayor Wright championed this and it should be done to honor him. Transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure plans are followed and builds trust.

With respect to the Chamber’s hypothetical jobs, that’s just the Chamber being the Chamber. Their job is to represent their shareholders, and that’s really local big businesses. Established big businesses want to say they aren’t hiring ‘because people aren’t qualified.’ If the demand were there, they would find a way to fill the positions. When BMW chose Greenville, neither they nor South Carolina officials said anything about workforce quality. They had 1,000 jobs, 60,000 people applied, and they filled ‘em.

How does it behoove us to constantly denigrate our workforce? Our history has shown the ability to train a workforce and have them be very productive.Over time, BMW has invested multi-millions of dollars in pre-employment training at Upstate South Carolina’s technical colleges. I know some local businesses are dabbling in that today, but if big business wants the rewards, then it is the responsibility of big business to make that investment. It is a company’s responsibility to train its workforce.

With regards to education, the responsibility of the public is to make sure that children have a solid foundation of fundamentals and to make sure adults can enhance themselves through libraries and public education and arts infrastructure. That’s one thing we’ve gotten right around here. Will we continue to make those investments? I certainly hope so.

I am a public school educator and have been for twenty years.I have seen a tremendous shift in accountability as have many of my colleagues.In the past, students were held accountable for incomplete work and behavior issues but more and more the parents blame us, the educators, when students do not perform well. I am frustrated and looking for ways to encourage parents to hold their children accountable without creating additional conflict.

Sincerely,

Tired Teacher

Dear TT,

First and foremost, allow me to empathize with what must be an incredibly frustrating situation.As a therapist I am often faced with client’s that struggle with being accountable for their own choices and decisions. I would encourage you to avoid getting defensive and try to focus on collaboration and putting the ball back in the parent’s court.For example, when a parent is upset with you for holding a student accountable for behavior issues or incomplete work perhaps try asking what works for them at home when the student doesn’t listen or complete chores.I think it is even appropriate to remind parents of the value of learning coping skills for the world of work once they leave school.After all, an employer is not going to discuss potential termination or disciplinary action with someone’s parent before taking action.

Dear David,

Every year I dread fall and winter thanks to my seasonal depression.I want to avoid medications given that it doesn’t really affect me in warmer months and I prefer a more all natural approach.What kind of things would you recommend?

Woes in the winter

Dear WITW,

Let me encourage you to make an appointment with your primary care provider and possibly a therapist to help assess your specific concerns appropriately.As far as general recommendations often times seasonal depression can come down to basic brain chemistry.We tend to move less, eat more carbs and refined sugars, and get less sun thus producing less of our “positive” neurotransmitters and relying more heavily on a limited energy source.Some excellent interventions I have seen in the past are a lower carbohydrate diet, increased cardiovascular exercise, and light therapy.Light therapy lights simulate the sun without the cancer causing rays in a compact device that is compact enough for an office.There are also natural supplements like St John’s Wort that you could consider but make sure it is from a reputable source.There is no shame in asking for help, no shame in taking medication, and I am sure there are many more out there that are afraid to ask this same question.Thank you for reaching out!

Sincerely,

David Zealy-Wright LPC, LCAS

David Zealy-Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Clinical Supervisor Intern. He graduated from Catawba Valley Community College in 2005 earning an Associate in Arts, Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2008 earning a BA in Psychology, and in 2010 an MA in Agency Counseling. His specialty areas include addiction, depression, anxiety, life changes, men’s issues, relationships, and LGBTQIA issues.

William Faulkner writes, “How often have I lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home.”

Lots of stories begin with the return to home of the prodigal, the person who left under cloud or in the belief that happiness bloomed elsewhere. These characters always return for some reason—a reckoning, an opportunity for redemption, a nostalgic calling that itches like the healing abscess of emptiness. The characters notice how much the area has changed, how many people have died, how things are not the same, and they are either jubilant or dismayed. But they’re back. Ready to fact the demon, the parent, the bully, the lost love, that thing they left behind. The characters find redemption, slay the dragon, earn more scars, but they live through the return.

This is the way of many stories.

In fact, so many that one would believe everyone leaves the place they’re reared. However, the largest majority of folks are born, raised, live and die in one geographical area.

I’m one of those. I’ve lived in Catawba County, in the foothills’ shadow, for now 55 years. I’ve slain local dragons, reckoned with existential crises, and tracked change all from a few square miles. However, I identify with Faulkner’s quote. His “strange roof” is, of course, the different geographical location from where he dreams of “home.” The words “How often” exemplifiy that he does so many, many times, as he is not asking a question but stating that even though his longitude and latitude is not “home,” home is not far from his mind and soul.

As someone who’d never ventured far from home for an extended length, I still identify with Faulkner. To me, the “strange roof” is my age, my mindset, my current situation. Even though I am educated, a dad, a granddad, a husband and friend, each one of these are “strange roofs” upon which to lie, each rainfall the cause of the nostalgia for “simpler times,” easier times. But these rainy ruminations are important in distilling the thoughts about who and what we are as humans.

I find myself still an 8-year-old boy excited about comic books, TV shows, scared of bullies and school, pining to be an adult even though I have no idea what that means. Each rainfall on each strange roof causes a meandering trip through what was and what could have been.

We’re all on our roofs, looking at the cast sky, occluded with storm clouds, the sun occasionally peeking out, but we always return home to the present, the thing we have to do to make it through the day.

In the coming issues of Foothills Magazine, I’ll invite you onto my multiplicities of roofs, my storms, which you can compare to your own and you’ll see that we homebodies who live of our lives in one area are no different than the travelers who leave and return.

Growing up on Baker’s Mountain back in the days before internet, electricity, or even running water holds many precious memories I would not trade for anything!

My grandma was born in 1890, and my mom in 1921. I was born in 1942, a year after our nation entered World War 2. Humphrey Bogart and Catherine Hepburn portrayed fast and glamorous lives on movie screens, but time moved slower in the North Carolina mountains in those days. My youngest grandson was born in 2014-he will learn some of the most primitive means of running a household, and he will know the traditional ways of surviving and thriving on our land. It’s uncommon in this time to take the time, to make the effort to connect to history and our land, and I’m very happy to pass this on to my grandchildren. They play with iPads, but they also play in the dirt, and know where they came from.

Today I’m thinking back on my Grandma’s wash pot that she kept down by the stream. Folks in big cities had ringer washing machines by then, but those wouldn’t find their way to these hills for quite some time.

On laundry day, Grandma would build a fire under that pot and fill it with water from the stream. The white laundry went in first, along with some homemade lye soap. She’d stir it occasionally with a long stick until the water heated up just so-she always knew just when-and then she’d use that stick to pull out a piece of clothing. She’d scrub it on her washboard until it was clean, then rinse it in clear cold water. She’d hang each item on a line strung between the trees.I loved watching them blow in the breeze.

Grandma made her lye soap in that same black iron pot. I remember her mixing ashes, animal fat and Red Devil lye, and I can still smell the bubbling mixture today. She used this soap for all of her chores, even bathing and washing our dishes. It was also the go-to for bug bites and poison ivy. We used it for just about everything.

In those days, people even used lye to plump up hominy, and they sure seemed to think it was delicious. I always refused to eat hominy though because I knew that the Red Devil Lye can had a skull and crossbones on it and it didn’t seem sensible to eat it.